Surprise Connections |Year 2033: Lex|

What I wouldn’t give for some free time to rest. I looked around the auditorium and spotted neat rows of vibrant new faces and well dressed faculty speakers. I chose an empty seat toward the side of the room and rested my eyes while I could. My school’s “welcome week” activities and continuously meeting new people had worn me out. It was impossible for my parents to see me off in Maryland, so I had to leave by myself. I was tired from moving all my stuff to my dorm by myself, combined with how weird it was adjusting to living alone.

I tried and I tried, but it was impossible to be still as voices clamored and echoed in and out of my head’s focus. I was trying my best to renew my attention because the president’s speech could be starting soon, when my eyes opened ahead of me in response to a familiar wavelength or sound. Huh? It feels just like I heard Anneka’s deliberate voice saying something. That can’t be possible. Am I reminiscing and thinking of an old memory? No, that felt like it was fully living, unlike how I normally interpreted my memories which were more silent and dull in my head. Still the voice continued. I felt it arrive again, so logically it should be close. I started looking all around in my front view and saw a woman with long, night black bangs, and a flowing ponytail speaking to another student 20 feet diagonally in front of me. Her hair was many inches longer than I remember, but with that hair color combined with a familiar voice, I can be confident that this is one hundred percent her. I started to make my way, weaving around and through the people of the crowd. I walked until we were close and met eyes and I created contact, speaking first.

“Hey Anneka, you didn’t tell me that you were accepted and going to be attending as a student here this year.”

“Of course I didn’t tell you! I wanted to have this moment that we are having now, so that I could implode your mind into little pieces. I’d paid mind to make it a surprise, idiot.” I said with my face devolving into a smile. 

She stood up and brought out her arms. Oh. That means we’re going in for a hug. Oww, oww, that’s really tight. I thought while being smushed.

“Anything you want to say to me after not talking for three years?” I said to him as we sat down.

“Yeah it sure is curious how it has been three years. We should have talked more. How did we let that happen? Really though, I want to know why you chose the Maryland Research Institute out of every college, Anneka?”

“It’s simple. I wanted to challenge myself and beat you in a competition at the same time. If I got into the most competitive school in the US, then I would obviously have beaten you.”

“What? We can’t have a proper competition if you don’t inform your opponent of the rules or game.”

“Ehh, I figured halfway through high school, you were also aiming to go to the Maryland Research Institute, and with the amount of research you published, it was all, but guaranteed that you would be accepted. All that was left was for me to get accepted, in order for us to tie.”

“Mind me if I’m prodding, but what did you do in order to be accepted? It is a monumental challenge to get accepted here with the number and selectiveness of the applicants each year from the whole world. Impress me with your unknown abilities.”

“Well, I am currently more well studied in anatomy and biomechanics than I ever was. I was able to demonstrate this through my research and throughout my application. I also have been competing in sports, which could have helped me get in as well.”

“Well I’ve got to say that you’ve done a great job, but if you needed help along the way, you could have asked me to aid your studies at any time.”

“I couldn’t do that. I had to get in by myself or else it wouldn’t matter.”

“You are so stubborn. What learning process did you use then?”

“I learned by umm … following in your footsteps. Whenever I could, I would swell my head by reading books, practicing problems, and creating models and diagrams. It’s weird, but I also utilized this torturous system. Where every time I felt my mind fill with self-doubt or gut stabbing pain from questioning if my efforts would matter, I would add a tally to do two additional hours of work on top of my schedule’s amount. Over the last four years, I scribbled down about 1200 tallies on my wall, but I’ve only been able to work through 456 of them before coming here.”

“That’s beyond crazy. You know that you don’t have to do that.”

My face scrunched, but I felt calm except for my burning eyes. “I know you are not trying to be mean or dismissive and I don’t hate your concern, but you need to stop talking. I’ve always needed more. I’m tired of waiting. I do have to do this.” Lex sighed.

“I understand and I don’t understand, but please be conscientious, Anneka, so that you can remember what you are missing out on and sacrificing in your pursuit.”

After what Lex said, I knew that the tone in the air had changed. I decided to shrug it off. “You know all this stuff doesn’t really matter. Just say another joke already, Lex.”

“I can’t. Here’s an observation I made instead. It is so obvious now that we’ve both been busy in our own ways for the past three years.”

“That would be right. The final thing I have to mention is that I’ve been busy fighting in matches this past year.”

“Fighting?”

“The sport of MMA. Recently, I’ve lost my last two matches, so my record is now 8 wins and 2 losses since I debuted as a professional. I would really appreciate it if you could come see my next fight against the champion in the featherweight division. These sports news stations think it is going to be an obvious one sided slaughter; I’d like to have a few people there cheering for me. The only reason the association accepted my match is because the champ is so dominant that no one else has challenged them in the past year and a half.”

“I can’t say I see the appeal at all. Most forms of fighting can be dangerous and lead to suffering and pain. Why’d you even become a fighter?”

“Obviously, the thrill of the fight!”

“Get serious please. I know you well enough to see you are joking.” She fell silent until her joy came back.

“You know, I’ll tell you if you can beat me in a fight.”

“There’s no way that’s happening.” I announced after suddenly becoming aware of her sturdy and balanced muscular frame that was just hiding underneath the surface.

“Come on, that's no way to live. You don’t know the outcome ahead of time.” I said while practice punching some air. Lex looked horrified.

“I am still perfectly fine to never fight or watch anyone fight again.”

“Ok, how about this? I’ll tell you why I fight if you promise to show up to my MMA match. I’ll show you my world in color. Come support me just this once.”